Obituaries

Mar 15, 2024

Roger P. Freese, 88, of Pecatonica, IL passed away Friday March 15, 2024 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL. He was born June 25, 1935 in Ridott, IL to Wessel and Jennie (Frey) Freese. Roger married JoAnn Jacobs on November 21, 1958 in Freeport, IL. Joann passed away May 5, 2018. Roger served in...

Mar 9, 2024

Scott (Scotty) A. Stewart, 69, of Freeport, IL passed away Saturday March 9, 2024 at FHN Memorial Hospital. He was born April 9, 1954 in Freeport, IL to Alfred and Jackie (MacKenzie) Stewart Jr. Scott was a 1972 graduate of Freeport High School where he met and married Luann Knodle in Freeport, IL on October 12, 1974....

Mar 9, 2024

Judy Welch, 67, of Forreston, passed away at UW Health Hospital Madison on March 9, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with IPF. Judy was born to Maurice and Mildred (Millard) Ashton on August 22, 1956 in Rockford IL.

Judy graduated from Mt. Morris High School in 1974. On November 2, 1979,...

Mar 9, 2024

Diana L. Howarth, born June 15th, 1956, in Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her home on March 9th, 2024.

Diana graduated from Pecatonica High School in 1974, and for over two decades, she dedicated her professional life to Tri-State Adjustments Inc.

She is survived by her...

Mar 7, 2024

Chester “Tom” Williams, 76, of Forreston, Il, passed away Thursday March 7, 2024 at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL. He was born July 8,1947 in South Bend, IN, the son of Brainard and Naomi (Creech) Williams. Chester married Mary “Ellen” Marney on October 22, 1982 in Oregon, IL. He was a 1966 graduate of Oregon High...

Mar 6, 2024

Betty Marie Jones, 92, of Freeport, IL passed away Wednesday March 6th, 2024 at FHN Hospital. Betty was born in Wacker, Il. to Charles and Flossie (Bowden) Rowland on April 29, 1931. One of 14 children, Betty ventured to Freeport as a young girl and met the love of her life. Betty married Donald Jones on November...

Mar 3, 2024

JoAnn K. Cain, 84, of Freeport, IL passed away Sunday March 3, 2024 in her home surrounded by her family. She was born March 17, 1939 in Everetts, Stephenson County, IL the daughter of Schyler and Lois (Stockton) Pierce. On December 1, 1956 she married Norman L. Cain Sr. in Leaf River, IL. Norman passed away November...

Mar 1, 2024

Rebecca Bell (Dickens) Thomas graced this world with her presence on March 29, 1953, born to the late William N. Dickens and the vibrant Ms. Carrie (Davis) Herron in Freeport, Illinois.

Her journey in education began in Freeport, Illinois, culminating in the proud achievement of her GED in 1988. Embarking on her professional...

Feb 28, 2024

Marjorie N. Genandt, 92, passed away, Wednesday February 28, 2024, at Polo Rehab and Health Care Center. Marjorie was born January 12, 1932 in Oregon, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence and Jessie (Martin) Book. She married Ralph R. Genandt on February 8, 1953, in Leaf River, Illinois. Mr. Genandt died April 24, 2007. She was a member...

Feb 26, 2024

Ralph Wayne Bass, age 82 of Freeport, IL, formerly of Shannon, IL passed away Monday, February 26, 2024. He was born July 2, 1941 in Stockton, IL to Raymond and Margorie (Plapp) Bass. Ralph grew up in Shannon, IL on the family farm with his three brothers. He was a graduate of Shannon High School in 1959....

Feb 25, 2024

David “Dave” William Richter, 80, of Freeport, IL passed away Sunday February 25, 2024 at Alden Debes Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Rockford, IL. He was born May 3, 1943 in Freeport, the son of LaVerne William and Florence (Dreier) Richter. On October 5, 1968 he married Dianne Johnson in Shannon, IL. Dave owned and operated...

Feb 22, 2024

Irving George Greenfield, 94, of Ridott, Illinois went home to be with the Lord on February 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Irving was born on December 5, 1929, to George and Florence (Ruthe) Greenfield. He was a graduate of Pleasant Prairie Academy in German Valley, Illinois. Irving was a veteran of...

Feb 19, 2024

Laurie A. Thomas, 63, of Freeport, IL passed away Monday February 19, 2024 in her home. She was born May 10, 1960 in Freeport to Marvin and Marguerite (Herbst) McKee. Laurie was employed at the Freeport School District for many years as a cook. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and making her own beef jerky.

Feb 18, 2024

John Avampato peacefully passed away surrounded by his family at home on Sunday, February 18, 2024. He was born on February 20,1961, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Elgin. He was a beloved husband to Judy for 37 years and the cherished father of four daughters, Brittany, Lauren, Hillary and Madison. John leaves behind a legacy of love...

Feb 17, 2024

John Patrick “Jack” O’Connor, 94, of Freeport, died Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Liberty Village Retirement Community.

Funeral Mass will be 10 A.M. Saturday Feb. 24, 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church with the Rev. Peter Snieg officiating and concelebrated by the Rev. Dan O’Connor. A visitation will be from 9 A.M. until the time...

Feb 17, 2024

Marlene Faith Ford, 75, of Polo, passed away, Saturday February 17, 2024, at Franklin Grove Living & Rehab. Marlene was born May 23, 1948, in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of John A. and Martha (Tiedens) Ruter. She grew up on the family farm near Baileyville. She was a 1966 graduate of Forreston High School where she was...

Feb 15, 2024

Maryann Burrow transitioned to her heavenly home on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at OSF ST Anthony Hospital in Rockford, Illinois.

Maryann was born October 18, 1939 in Winona, Mississippi to Henry and Vivian (Hudson) Collins.

She completed her formal education in Winona. Maryann was married to love of her life Willis...

Feb 14, 2024

Addie Lee Cain, age 88, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Sage Meadow of Middleton Assisted Living and Memory Care in Madison, WI, where she had resided since 2017. She was born on March 25, 1935 in West, Mississippi, the daughter of George and Pearl (Riley) Pearson and was the youngest of...

Feb 13, 2024

Wayne L. Gaul, 85, of Shannon, passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at FHN Memorial Hospital. Wayne was born March 26, 1938 in Freeport to father Kenneth Gaul and mother Mary (Atherton) Gaul. Wayne farmed for more than 60 years in the Shannon area as he wanted to, until his last days with us. He was a...

Feb 9, 2024

David W. Hartman, 63, of Freeport, passed away, Friday February 9, 2024 in his home. David was born April 25, 1960, in Freeport, the son of Donald W. and Marilyn “Maudie” (Whitish) Hartman. Mr. Hartman was a 1979 graduate of Forreston High School. He worked for Wal-Mart and Snak King. David was a member of the Freeport...